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9/12/14

SOUND BITES: The ILL Itches go all in at MGM Grand Detroit's TAP

For this installment of Sound Bites we made every attempt to shake things up and see what type of trouble we could find by bringing a raucous hard rockin' band in The ILL Itches to a pub... in a casino. So flash forward to TAP
at MGM Grand Detroit- Detroit's newest old sports pub.

With an impressive as well as extensive collection of sport memorabilia, I was certain that after a few flights of well crafted Michigan brews from their 36 taps, helmets would be yanked from the walls and the very special 1 of 8 footballs signed by every MVP of every Super Bowl so far would be kicked around amateurishly.

No such luck.MGM
Grand Detroit’s Assistant Director of Food and Beverage- Tom Genevich,
heard us coming a mile away and masterfully constructed an assortment of specialties to distract if not induce physical immobility.

It's with professionalism like that- they're celebrating their second year at MGM Grand Detroit and the opening of TAP at MGM Grand Las Vegas.

We were greeted to a table for 10.

A modern rustic wood table which looked to be majestically plumbed to have a tapped keg at each location. Josh, Matt and Matt of The ILL Itches sat eagerly. Missing in action was Stephen who I think may actually be an apparition- only appearing on stage. There was Elise Porier, the front woman of Bay City's rock band YUM, who is not only easy on the eyes but refreshingly pleasant in conversation. Someone must have said "food and drinks" aloud because Lee Majors, whose finger's on the pulse of all of Motor City's rock 'n' roll heartbeat, came waltzing in confidently as always.
Paul Hitz of United Photo Works took the cool pics, and the Blogfather was my designated driver while I took down as many of the CORONA LITE ON DRAFT as I could.

The Feast

Short Rib Chili

*which won the Plymouth Chili cook off*

ML: Yes, it's cooked with a base of "short" ribs. But in terms of how towering this chili's flavor is…think Andre the Giant. In elevator heels. On his tiptoes. (On the top rung of a fireman's ladder…fully extended.)

MM: MMMMM. THIS CHILI REMINDED ME OF THE KIND MY DEAR OLD MOTHER USED TO MAKE ME WHEN I WAS BEING RAISED DOWN ON THE FARM IN WATERFORD WISCONSIN. MY MOMMAS WAS SPICER, BUT THIS CHILI PACKS A GOOD PUNCH WITHOUT BEING TOO HARDCORE FOR ALL THOSE LAME WIMPOS OUT THERE! LOL

JW: I didn't partake in the short rib chili. I don't think I could've face my future pet piggy in the same way if I had. I love chili though! Was served in awesome bowls.

MM: I LIKE MAC N CHEESE, BUT HAVING IT IN FRIED STICK FORM BROUGHT IT TO NEW HEIGHTS I HAD ONLY IMAGINED IN DREAMS OF THE BIG OLE CUNTRY BUFFET IN THE SKY!!! THE CHEESE SAUCE WAS SO GOOD, IT SHOULD HAVE CAME WITH MORE OF IT! (I USED MOST OF IT ON MY HOT WINGS)

JW: I had to check my pulse after seeing this because I thought I had died and gone to Mac N Cheese heaven. It was absolutely awesome. Fried mac and cheese cut into little squares. I pride myself in being sort of a mac and cheese connoisseur, and this was some of the best I've ever had.

Pad Thai Lettuce Wraps

ML: Many of TAP’s premier confections arrive courtesy of cows – but with this option, they give you their express permission to graze like a bovine. Perfect for getting in touch with your inner vegetarian. (Or at least pretending to, as you strive to impress a vegan significant other.)

MM: I HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A HEALTHFOOD NUT, BUT IF I WAS THE TYPE TO MAINTAIN AN IOTA OF SELF-ESTEEM WHEN EATING OUT, I WOULD BE MORE THAN SATIFIED WITH THIS HEALTHY OPTION! IT HAD A VERY GOOD FLAVOR, AND WAS LIKE CHINESE FOOD FOR SKINNY PEOPLE!

JW: I didn't try these because of a coconut allergy I have, but it looked awesome and was presented very well.

Pizza- Salami, pepperoni, mozzarella

ML: The Yang to the Lettuce Wraps’ Yin. Enough meat to send aforementioned veggie-leaning significant other into a meat-inspired fit – but seeing how the taste is worth it, you be able to tune it out. (And don't forget, there’s red peppers, too.)

MM: THIS PIZZA WAS A LITTLE SPICY, A LITTLE UNREMARKABLE COMPARED TO THE OTHER FARE I CONSUMED THAT NIGHT

BBQ Chicken Pizza

ML: A gourmet masterpiece. That you can eat with your hands! Enough said.

JW: This was awesome. Had to start out eating it with a fork because they brought it out nice and hot...if they served hot n readys like this, I'd live at a Little Caesars.

Classic Burger:

ML: “If the engine ain’t broke, it don’t need fixin’.” No place could possibly comprehend this adage better than the Motor City. And in my opinion, few places in said city have got a burger that can competes with this…well, classic.

Southwest Bacon Mushroom Burger

ML: Is it just me, or does the like/dislike of mushrooms tend to provoke a partisan divide resembling a Democrats vs. Tea Party slugfest? But regardless of where their political leanings stand, anyone in the pro-mushroom constituency should take a seat and try this burger.

MM: IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN I WAS BORN AND RAISED, STEALING KIDS LUNCHES IN MOST OF MY DAYS. WHEN I ATE THIS BURGER, I REALLY ENJOYED THE MUSHROOMS. I HAVE NEVER LEFT THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY, BUT MAYBE I WILL IF ALL SOUTHWESTERN FOOD IS REALLY THIS GOOD!

Downtown Burger

ML: It’s not every day you’ll find classic add-ons from both Italian subs AND barbeque sandwiches not just under the same roof…but under the same bun. Bravo.

Turkey Burger

ML: Full disclosure: I’m a burger purist. So when I say that this burger alternative didn’t make a convert out of me, take it with a grain of (non-iodized) salt. (Then again, my grandma back in North Carolina accused me of being stubborn as a mule…and seeing how she grew up surrounded by them on a tobacco farm, I’m inclined to believe her.)

MM: I ATE THIS BURGER NOT KNOWING IT WAS A TURKEY BURGER. HAD I KNOWN, I NEVER WOULD HAVE TOUCHED IT! I DID EAT THE WHOLE THING, SO I THINK THAT SAYS SOMETHING. IT GAVE ME BURPS THAT REMINDED ME OF MY AUNT LYNETTES THANKSGIVING DINNER SHE WOULD SERVE THE CLAN WHEN SHE CAME DOWN TO VISIT FROM THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN.

JW: Turkey. On a burger. Was awesome. Fell apart a bit, but if you're like me, that's how I prefer it.

Michigan Beer Battered Fish-n- Chips

ML: Back in the day, I subsisted on the classic version of this dish whil(st) living abroad in England. That said, not only do I give TAP’s Fish-n-Chips the nod – this Mitten-centric take beats the (finely hemmed and tailored) pants off that of our allies across the pond.

MM: I HAD 6 BEERS, I ESTIMATE IT WAS MORE LIKE 7 AFTER FINISHING OFF THE ENTIRE PORTION I HAD STOWED AWAY ON THE RIDE HOME FROM THE CASINO. THANK GOD ITS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO EAT AND DRIVE!

Oh, and there was dessert. Look how happy Lee is.

This man made sure everything was delicious and presented extraordinarily.